Closing the Achievement Gap - Washington State School Directors ...

Allocation and Alignment of Fiscal ResourcesIn Washington state, school districts are expected, for the mostpart, to improve student learning with existing resources. Given thisreality, districts must make new, critical choices about the use oftheir resources and target those limited dollars where they will have thegreatest impact.According to Odden and Archibald (2001), several commonalities exist inthe resource allocation practices of schools engaged in successful reform.These commonalities include:Schools allocate resources to where they are most needed and have thegreatest impact on student achievement.Schools dramatically reduce or eliminate classroom pull-out strategiesand implement other practices, such as one-to-one tutoring throughextended day programs and instruction in small classes.Strategies implemented for low-achieving students, struggling studentsfrom low-income families, English language learners and those withmild learning disabilities are very similar and are delivered withpooled funds.An increasing number of districts eliminate or greatly reduce instructionalaide positions and use resources to implement other teacherprovidedinstructional strategies to accelerate the achievement ofstruggling students.Additional resources can also have a significant impact on student achievementwhen properly targeted. According to an NAEP study, resources mustbe allocated to specific programs, schools and/or grade levels and towardspecific students to be most effective (Improving Student Achievement: WhatState NAEP Test Scores Tell Us, 2000). Targeted class size reductions (forexample, smaller class sizes only for schools with a high percentage ofstudents eligible for free or reduced-price lunch or smaller class sizes onlyat primary grades) are policies for boards to consider.Equal does not necessarily mean equitable. Resources must be directedbased on need. Weighted student formulas acknowledge thatresources cannot be equally distributed if the needs of all students are to bemet. Many districts allocate resources to schools in such a way that morefunding per student goes to those schools with students with above averageneeds. For example, in Seattle Public Schools (www.seattleschools.org),about 60 percent of the district’s state and local funding is allocated toschools on a weighted student formula, sending more money per studentfor special education, English language learners or students eligible for freeor reduced-price meals. Weighted student formulas can be used to addressdisproportional needs.18CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP: A POLICY ACTION GUIDE